Pumping apparatus



Dec. 10, 1940. I w H. wlNEMAN 2,224,463

PUMPING APPARATUS Original Filed March-3, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l azzj -ec. 10, 1940. w. H. WINEMAN 2,224,463

PUMPING APPARATUS Original Filed March 3, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zl/HZa/Zneman.

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Dec. 10, 1940. w. H.IWINEMANV 2,224,463

PUMPING APPARATUS Original Filed March 5, 1937 5 Sheefcs-Sheet 3 1Z1 55 1 5. & I: 1 340536 5? I 5 131 EZMSIZZ/OT. "Q T3? @133 ZdaaeEZz/zzwmn. 159 S% Dec. 10, 1940. w, H w N' 2,224,463

' PUMPING APPARATUS Original Filed March 3, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ||l II 15206722??? 1% zdadeflZz/eizeimn;

Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMPING APPARATUS Wade H. Wineman, Michigan City, Ind., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 3, 1937, Serial No. 128,826

Renewed December 16, 1939 3]. Claims.

My invention relates to pumping apparatus, and, more particularly; to pumping motors having special equipment and controls adapting them especially to deep well pumping.

In many oil fields, there are wells in which groups, with a number of pumping motors supplied from a common central source of supply; and compressed air preheated by suitable means adjacent the wells at which it is to-be used is a very satisfactory operating medium. The compressed air, after its use in effecting the working strokes of the piunp motor pistons, is desirably returned to the compressor intake and maintained at a substantial pressure inthe return line so that the downward movements of the pump motor pistons under their own weight and the weight of the pump rod line may be appropriately retarded by the back pressure in the system. Such motors, since they are not ordinarily, for economic reasons, constantly attended by mechanics, must have automatic distributing valve mechanism, and are desirably provided with all possible safeguards to prevent breakage in the event of sudden and radical changes in operating conditions. The pump rod lines are subjected to such stresses, even with this relatively superior system of pumping, that pump rod failures have to be figured on as possible occurrences, in the design of such apparatus, and the rupturing of pump plunger packings is also likely to occur as Wear takes place. In theevent of either of these occurrences, it is obvious that the loads which the pump pistons move are likely to be suddenly and greatly reduced, and if no means is provided for retarding and cushioning the movements of the suddenly largely unburdened motor pistons, serious damage is likely to occur, both to the rod line and to thepumping motor. It is desirable, also, to interrupt the distribution of operating fluid to the pumping motor when an abnormal event of the character mentioned takes place, to prevent operation thereof abnormally, and it is therefore desirable to provide certainly-efiective means for interrupting supply of motive fluid to the pumping motor and. holding the fluid distribution valve means in exhaust effecting condition.

With pumping motors of the type mentioned,

in view of the presence of more or less gas in the oil being pumped, and since the availability of oil may vary from time to time, it is also necessary to provide for relatively unlimited piston movement, that is to say, to permit piston movement with varying stroke; but it is necessary also to provide a maximum stroke limit and to provide means which will safely check excessive piston travel withoutinjury or dangerous shock and likewise without shutting down the operation of the pumping motor.

Because of its more immediate effectiveness, a liquid displacement type control of pump motor stroke possesses substantial advantages. However, special problems are also introduced by the use of a liquid motion-controlling device, such as the prevention of leakage, the avoidance of the loss of dashpot fluid, the precluding of harmful shocks, etc.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved pumping motor. It is another object of my invention toprovide an improved pumping motor having improved fluid distribution means provided with an improved control. It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved pumping motor having an improved motion-controlling apparatus incorporated therein employing a liquid displaced during the working strokes of the pumping motor. It is still another object of my invention to provide an improved pumping motor having an improved motion-controlling apparatusof the hydraulic type associated therewith, having improved con-.

trol means permitting substantially unretarded motor piston movement during normal motor operation and providing almost immediately, upon abnormal acceleration of the rate of motor pistonmovement, for automatic retardation without excessive shock to the pumping system of the pumping motor piston, and desirably also having provision for the automatic locking in exhaust-effecting position of'the fluid distribution means assoon as the latter moves to such position, so that the motor shall not make a second working stroke until the derangement is repaired. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved hydraulic motion-controltrolling device having improved means for preventing the loss of liquid therefrom. Yet a fur- In the accompanying drawings, in which oneillustrative embodiment of my invention and certain modifications are shown, I

Fig. 1 is a view, with parts broken out,-in side elevation of a portion of a pumping motor and motor-controlling apparatus constructed in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the invention. v

Fig. 2 is a section on an enlarged scale on the plane of the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a central section on an enlarged scale on a difierent plane through the upper portion of the distributing valve mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a central section through a portion of the hydraulic control devices associated with the pumping motor, showing the upper portions thereof; and Fig. 5 is a view showing the lower portions of this mechanism and the upper portions of the main motor cylinder with the motor piston therein. I

Fig. 6 is a central section on a plane at right angles to the plane of Fig. 4, the view taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are respectively horizontal sections on the planes of the lines and 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on the same plane as Fig. 4, showing a portion of the mechanism contained in theupper part of Fig. 4 in a diiferent position.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing a portion of the controlling means, for moving or holding the fluid distributing valve in exhaust-eifecting position. I

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section, and Fig. 12 a vertical section, respectively, on the planes of the lines and |2-|2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is asectional view through the threeway valve shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4, showing a modified form of construction.

Fig. 15 isa sectional view similar to Fig. 5, showing details of a modified construction.

Fig. 16 is a section on the plane of the line |B|6 of Fig. 14.

Figs. 17 and 18 are detail sections showing different flow-controlling devices.

Fig. 19 is a horizontal section on the plane of the line |9|9 of Fig. 18.

'- Referring to the drawings, it may be noted that a pumping apparatus, generallydesignated I, is adapted to be suspended in any suitable manner by ears 2, 2 from a tripod or'other support, not shown. The pumping apparatus I includes an operating or motor cylinder 4, and a hydraulic 0r motion-controlling cylinder 5. The motor cylinder 4 is provided with a lower head element 1, provided with a fluid supply connection 8 and a fluid discharge-connection 9, and. having associated therewith a fluid distributing device generally designated Ill. The cylinder element proper I is clamped by side rods I2 between the lower head 1 and an upper head I 3, which supports in coaxial relation to the cylinder H a motion-controlling cylinder proper I5, which in turn supports at its top a casing structure generally designated l6, to whose top H the ears 2 are herein integrally connected. The cylinder i5 may be appropriately secured to the head I3, and is herein shown as threadedly connected thereto at I8, while it is shown as threadedly connected at IE to the lower end of the casing l6. Electric welding, or any other suitable means for preventing accidental unscrewing may be used if desired. A motor piston 2| is reciprocable within the bore 22 of the cylinder and is connected by a piston rod 23, extending through a suitable packing 24 downwardly for connection with a pump rod line. Threadedly connected as at 25 to the top of the piston rod 23 is a cap and connector element 21 which provides a connection with the lower end of a piston rod 28 whose upper end carries a piston 29 suitably packed as at 30 and reciprocable in the bore 3| of the hydraulic or motion-controlling cylinder |5. The top of the piston rod 28 carries a combined nut and reduced extension 33, the upper portion 34 of which may be rounded off as at 35. I

For simplicity, the fluid distribution means of the operating motor will now be described, in order that the normal mode of operation of this motor may be explained prior to a consideration of the hydraulic control system. The fluid distribution means In includes a valve casing 40, preferably shouldered as at 4|, 4|, 4|", and 4|"', and received in a stepped bore 42 formed in the lower cylinder head I. An upper head 43 is clamped by studs 44 and nuts 45 to the lower cylinder head member I, and clamps the casing member 40 rigidly in position. A lower head 45 held in position as by the screw devices 41 closes the lower end of the stepped bore 42, and has a central upwardly projecting portion 48 closing the lower end of the stepped bore 49 in the casing element 40. Stepped bore 49 comprises an upper larger bore 50 and a lower, longer, smaller bore 5|. Within the bores 5|! and 5| is reciprocably mounted a -mu1ti-headed piston-type valve 53 having an upper head 54 suitably packed and sliding in the bore 50, an intermediate head 55 suitably packed and sliding in the central portions of the bore 5|, and a lower head 5'5 likewise suitably packed and sliding in the lower portion of the bore 5|. Reduced portions 51, 58 lie between the heads 54 and 55 and the heads 55 and 56, respectively. The supply connection 8 communicates with a supply space 60, which opens through radial passages 6| into communication with the bore 5|. The exhaust connection 9 communicates with an exhaust groove 63 which communicates through ports 64 with the lower end of the bore 5| The lower end of the casing 40 is not a close flt for the bottom of the stepped bore 42, and so the space surrounding the projection 48 on the head 46 communicates freely with the exhaust space 63, and a passage 65 maintains the same pressure conditions within the lower end of the bore 5|the portion thereof below the valve head 56that prevail in the exhaust space 63. A port 61 connects the lower end of the cylinder with a space 68 which communicates through a series of radial ports 69 with the bore 5| at a portion thereof between the ports SI and the ports 64.

It will be evident, from the description so far given, that if the space 63 is maintained under a back pressure, that pressure delivered through the port 65 and acting upon the lower end of the valve head 56 will raise the valve from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 to an opposite position thereof, unless the pressure conditions acting upon the top. of the valve head 54 prevent this from occurring. In the position of the valve shown in Fig. 2, exhaust from the lower end of the motor cylinder through the port 61, space 68, ports 69, the space in bore 5| surrounding the reduced valve portion 58, ports 64, space 63, and exhaust connection 9, will take place. If the valve 53 be raised to its top position, exhaust will be discontinued and fiuid will flow from the supply connection 8 through space 68, ports 5|, the space in the bore 5| surrounding the portion 58 of the valve element 53, through ports 69, space 68, and port 61 into the lower end of the cylinder to raise the piston 2| therein.

To control the movements of the distributing valve, means is provided which is fully described in my copending application, Ser. No. 40,949, patented Dec. 26, 1939, No. 2,184,932. For completeness, this means will be described as briefly as possible herein.

The valve element 53 carries centrally of its uppermost portion a member 1| threadedly mounted therein and providing at its upper end a guide 12 for a reduced valve carrying projection 13 formed upon a member 14 which is slidable in a bore 15 within the. member 1|, and normally maintained projected, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, by a spring 16. The portion 13 has a conical head 11 which is adapted, in the upper position of the valve, to engage a conical seat 18 which surrounds a passage 19 formed in a member 88 mounted in the upper head 43 of the valve mechanism. The upper head 43 carries a member 82 providing a valve seat 83 surrounding a passage 84, and within the member 82 is slidably mounted a ported valve 85 whose downwardly projecting stem 86 extends through an opening 81 in the lower wall of the head 43 and projects a short distance into the bore 58. A spring 88 normally maintains the valve 85 seated, in which position communication between the passage 81 and a passage 89 in a follower member 98 is cut off. The top head 54 of the valve element 53 carries a hardened block 92 engageable with the valve stem 86 and adapted to unseat the valve 85 when the valve 53 is in its topmost position with the valve element 11 seating upon and sealing fluid flow at the conical seat 18. Accordingly, in the topmost position of the valve 53, flow in either direction through the passage 19 is impossible, while flow through the passage 89 is possible; while in the downward position of the valve 53, flow in either direction through passage 81 is impossible, while fiow through the passage 19 is possible. Suitable means 94 is provided to preclude rotation of the valve 53 as it reciprocates, thereby maintaining the block 92 opposite the stem 88.

The passage 19 is connected by a fluid conducting element I88 to a three-way valve casing I8I in which a valve element I82 is rotatably mounted, and in the position of the valve element I82, corresponding to the position shown in Figs. 1, 10, and 13, a connection is made by way of suitable conduit-forming means I84, I85, I86 with a point in the cylinder bore 22 beneath which the top end of the piston 2| moves as the piston 2| approaches the desired lower limit of its travel. The passage 89 is connected by suitable conduit means I81 with a point in the cylinder bore 22 above which the motor piston 2| passes substantially at the desired uppermost limit of travel thereof.

The bottom of the three-way valve casing is connected by a conduit I88 to the supply passage 68.

The mode of operation of the structure so far described will be readily appreciated. In the position of the motor piston 2| shown in Fig. 2, said piston is still moving downward, and its upper end has not yet passed below the point of communication of the connection I85 with the bore 22 of the motor cylinder, When this occurs, the pressure in the chamber 58 above the head 54 of the valve 53, which pressure is approximately the same as working pressure in the cylinder during the working strokes of the motor piston, perhaps 600 pounds per square inch with a motor for use at a deep well, will be vented through the passage 19, I88, three-way valve I8I, I82 and fluid conducting means I84, I85, I88 to the space above the piston 2| which is at a relativelylow pressure, for reasons which will be hereinafter explained; and the motor back pressure, that is the exhaust line pressure, acting upon the lower end of the valve head 58 will then move the valve 53 into a position to connect the supply space 68 with the port 61 through the annular space surrounding the reduced portion 58 of the valve member 53. The motor piston 2| will thereupon commence its upward travel. Now, if it be noted that when the valve 53 moves to its uppermost position the valve portion 11 seats upon the seat portion 18 and the block 92 engages the stem 85 of the valve 85 and opens the latter, it will be appreciated that though the lower end of the piston 2| soon passes above the point of communication of the conducting means I88 with the motor cylinder, no pressure will be able to pass through the passage it to act upon the top of the valve head 54, and only when the piston 2| passes above the point of communication with the cylinder bore 22 of the conducting means I81 will there be a flow of cylinder pressure through the passage 89, through theported valve 85, and through port 81 into the space above the head 54 of the valve 53. As soon as the pressure through conducting means I81 and passage 89 starts tomove the valve 53 downwardly, the valve element 11 unseats, and though the valve 85 promptly seats, the cylinder pressure will then pass through the passage 19 and move the valve 53 to its exhaust-establishing position shown in Fig. 2.

Thereafter, since the pressure beneath the piston- 2| will promptly reduce to the exhaust line pressure, the piston 2| will move downwardly; and as it moves downward and passes below the point of communication of the passage I81 with the cylinder bore 22, no venting of pressure through passage 89 can take place because the valve 85 is held too firmly to its seat by the spring 88; and only when the piston 25 again reaches the position in which its top head moves below the point of communication with the cylinder bore 22 of the fluid conducting means I86 will the pressure above the head 54 be again vented and the valve 53 move once more to fluid-admitting position. It may be noted, to summarize, that the movements of the valve 53 to fluid-admitting position are caused by the exhaust line pressure acting upon the lower end of the valve. Its movements to exhaust-establishing position are caused by cylinder pressure acting upon its upper larger head. It may be noted, further, that even though during the down-stroke of the piston 2| the pressure above the head 54 of the valve may reduce, due to the fall in pressure beneath the piston 2 I, the larger area of the head 54 will maintain the valve 53 in its lowered position, because the pressure on 54 cannot fall below the pressure 'on'56 until after the piston 2| gets below the point of communication of conducting means I06 with the cylinder bore.

For a well in which the motive fluid supplied to the motor is 600 pounds per square inch the back pressure may be of the order of 250 to 300 or more pounds per square inch. The pressure above the piston 2|, to which the space above the valve head 54 exhausts, may vary, as later explained, between perhaps ten, or so, pounds gauge and a substantial vacuum.

Now referring more particularly to Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive, it is to be noted that the casing I6 provides a relatively large space H0 therein with which the upper end ofthe bore'3I of the hydraulic cylinder I5 normally freely communicates through a passage III in a member H2 suitably mounted upon the bottom wall of the casing I6. The passage II I is surrounded by a valve seat I I3, and a valve element I I4 is guided for reciprocation in a guide H5 which receives and guides the stem I I6 of the valve I I4, and which is herein formed as a part of the member H2. Valve H4 has a conical seating portion II 1 adapted to coact, in the closed, upper position of the valve I I4, with the seat H3. Valve H4 is provided with a bore I I8 therein which extends also upwardly into its stem, and the valve stem I I6 has two passages, respectively numbered I20 and I 2| formed therein for establishing communication between the bore I I8 and the exterior of the valve stem, The passage I20 extends radially through a wall of the valve stem, and even in the normal open position of the valve is in communication with an annular internal groove I23 formed within the guide-providing member. Normally the conduit I2I is sealed in the open position of the valve H4, but upon predetermined upward movement of the valve element I I 4, the passage I2I will move above the top surface I24 of the member H2, and establish communication between the bore I I8 in the valve and the chamber H0. The passage I2I is considerably smaller than the passage I20, and is arranged at the extreme top of the bore H8. The annular space I23 communicates through appropriate conduit means I26, formed in the member H2, and I21, formed in the casing member I6, with a pipe I28 which leads down to a servomotor, generally designated I29, whose function will be more fully described shortly. The member I I2 provides, in a portion thereof, I 3 I, which communicates through a suitable channel I32 with the bore 3| of the hydraulic cylinder I5, a valve controlled passage I33 surrounded by a valve seat I34 toward which a valve I35 is normally pressed by a spring I36 surrounding the stem I31 of the valve I 34 and appropriately loaded by a cylindrical, threaded follower member I38. An upwardly projecting bracket member I40 provides a mounting at I4I for an adjustable spring casing I42, which receives a spring I43 which in turn is engageable with a shoulder I44 surrounding a reduced projection I45 on the stem I I6 of the valve element H4. It will be evident that the spring I43 may be adjusted to vary the resistance ofiered to closing movement of the valve I I4,'and a suitable lock screw I46 is provided to maintain the parts in the desired adjustment. The valve stem I I 6 above the passage I2I is provided with a lateral recess I50 which receives the shorter arm I5I of a lever I52, pivoted at I53 in the bracket I40, The outer longer arm of the lever I 52 has a pin I55 received in a notch I56 in the adjustable support member I51 mounted upon a threaded "adjusting rod I58 supported, as at II 59, in the lower wall of the casing I6. A packing I60 surrounds the lower end of the rod I58, and a spring IBI acting upon an adjustable nut I62 holds the rod I58 under adequate tension to prevent leakage. Suitable limit stops I63, I64 control the range of adjustment of the member I51. Member I51, pin

in positions of maximum upward movement of the motor piston, to enter the bore H8. I

Now going back to the servo-motor I29, it will be observed that this includes a cylinder I 10 supported by a suitable clamp member MI in which the conduit means I05 is formed, and'clamped as at I12 to one of the side rods I2 of the motor cylinder. Within the cylinder member I10 is a cylinder bore I13 in which a piston I14 is reciprocable. A wrist pin I15 carried by the piston I14 carries a connecting rod or link I16 whose lower end is pivotally connected as at I11 to the operating lever I18 of the valve mechanism IOI A finger I19 is provided to enable a manual return of the valve to the position shown in Figs. 10 and 13 and a stop I may be provided of appropriate length to bring the valve to precisely the desired position.

It will be noted, referring to Fig, 5,'that there is arranged at the lower side of the cylinder head I3 an annular member I82 having an upwardly projecting annular portion I83 which forms an annular cup-like space I84 within the lower end of the bore 3| of the hydraulic cylinder I5. This annular space is provided to collect any of the fluid which may escape downwardly past the piston 29; and the bottom of the annular space I84 is connected through check valve I85 and conduit means I85 with a pipe I86 which extends upwardly nearly to the top of the chamber H0,

, and whose uppermost portion is surrounded by a downwardly directed sleeve I81. It will be appreciated that upon the up-strokes of the pistons 2! and 20, there is a substantial reduction in the space between these pistons, with which space,

of course, the annular cup I 84 is in free communication. I

Accordingly, there will be a discharge of pressure through the annular space I84 and through the cylinder wall of the hydraulic cylinder I5 will I be returned automatically to the chamber H05 rator device I80 having a circular chamber I9I therein with downwardly sloping bottom con nected by a conduit I92 with a point well down in the chamber H0, The chamber I9I also communicates through a top opening I03 with a conduit I84 which extends to a passage I95 formed in the lower end of the casing member I6, and which communicates through an outwardly-opening check valve I96 with the atmosphere.

Now, it will be evident, since the chamber I9 I is provided with four tangentially arranged inlet passages I91, one in each quadrant, that gaseous fluid, perhaps entraining some of the hydraulic medium, upon entering the chamber I9I, will be whirled around Within said chamber, and the hydraulic medium will adhere to the walls of the chamber and flow down and discharge through the conduit I92, while the lighter gaseous medium will discharge through the top opening I93, through the conduit I94, passage I95, and past the check valve I96 to the atmosphere. Suitable drain and try-cocks I99 and 200 are disposed at appropriate positions on the walls of the casing member I6.

It will be appreciated that each time the motor piston 2| passes below the cylinder end of connection I96, the amount of pressure fluid that was entrapped in the space within the bore 56 above the head 54 of the distributing valve will be released into the chamber between the pistons 2| and 29, which chamber at that moment will be of maximum volume. When the pistons 2I and 29 are at their extreme upper positions the volume between them will be reduced, say, to onethird its maximum, and so the pressure between them will be sufficient to cause the discharge of the valve-operating fluid past the check valve I and to atmosphere past check valve I96. In

view of the small volume of air discharged from the distributing valve chamber in each cycle, the pressures within the space between pistons 2| and 29 will range from a substantial vacuum to a few pounds gauge.

The mode of operation of the hydraulic system may now be readily followed. It will be appreciated that the control valve II4 operates on the principle of a hydraulic ram valve. Of course, it will be understood that when the pumping motor is in operation and the piston 29 at its lowermost position, the system will be filled with an appropriate liquid, for example, a good grade of lubricating oil, to the level at least of the point of communication with the chamber I I0 controlled by the try-cock 200. It will be appreciated, from what has been previously said, that the motor piston 2|, and accordingly the hydraulic piston 29 as well, will be subjected to upward movements of varying length depending upon the conditions in the well and of the fluid being pumped by the pump operated by the motor. Normally, the maximum upward travel of these pistons will leave the piston 29 well short of the position shown even in Fig. 4. So long as the speed of the piston movement does not exceed a predetermined rate, what that rate is being controlled by the setting of the spring I43, upward movements of the pistons 2| and 29 will simply displace fluid through the passage III without causing any effective seating tendency of the valve I I4, and each down stroke of the pistons 2I and 29will be attended by a flowing back from the chamber III] of the hydraulic medium through the passage II I into the cylinder bore 3I.

Now let it be supposed that upon a start of the up-stroke of the motor piston the pump rod line suddenly ruptures or that the pump packing suddenly springs so large a leak that an excessive rate of upward piston movement takes place. As a result, the piston 29 cannot force the fluid from the cylinder bore 3I through the passage II I rapidly enough to preclude the building up of a closing pressure on the valve H4 in excess of the resistance offered by the spring I43 Accordingly, the valve II4 will move promptly to its seat H3, and acceleration of the upwardly moving piston 29 will be promptly checked; and the rate of its upward movement will thereafter be controlled by the rate at which the hydraulic medium can be displaced through the thenopened passage HI, and the passage I33, past gree permitted by the setting of its springI36, if the hydraulic pressure is sufiicient.

- Desirably, the spring I36 will be such, and so momentum of the moving system of pistons is very large, the valve I35 may remain open longer or may reopen intermittently.

Not only will the upward movement of the valve I I4 result in its own closing, but it will also.

result in the delivery of fluid through the passage H8 and I20, annular space I23, through the passages I26, I21 and conduit I28, to act upon the top of the piston I14 of the servo-motor I29. Accordingly, piston I'M will move downward, and its connecting rod or link I16 will move the valve I02 to a position in which communication will be established between the conduit I99 andv the conduit I68, and conduit I 99 will be cut off from communication with conduit I95. Accordingly, valve 53, when moved to exhaust-establishing position, will not be able to move back to its opposite position, .for there can be no venting of the fluid from above it to atmosphere, and

instead until v alve I92 is moved back to the position of Fig. 13, live pressure from the space '63 will act on the top of valve 53.

Though the piston 2|, after its upward movement has come to an end, should again move downward, this would not result in a new movement of the distributing valve 53 to an admitting position, and the motor would remain stopped, because line pressure will be maintainedor the like, for permitting a restricted escape,

and if a continuously open escape means he adopted, this will vary the action in a self-evident manner. In Fig. 17 there is shown at I35 a needle valve, and in Figs. 18 and 19. at I35" Jan trolling flow through port I33.

Now, if the motor piston should simply make.

an unduly long stroke, due to lightening of the well, or the like, and so cause the piston 29 to move up into a position in which the projection 34 would enter the bore H3 in the valve H4, it will be appreciated that even though the upward rate of movement of the piston 29 had been so slow as not to create a closing tendency in the valve II4 sufiicient to close the latter, said valve would be closed as soon as the projection .34 entered the bore H8. The closing of the valve II4 would then provide the same retarding effect that occurs from a rod break, so far as the checking of the upward movement of the motor piston.

is concerned, with the exception of the fact that because of the initially slower rate of piston movement, the checking action will be effective .70

much more quickly, and with the further exception that no suflicient quantity of fluid can at tain entrance, in view of the position of the stem 3 34, to the space I23 to cause a shutting down" of ment of the piston 29, the fluid displaced from the valve I35, which will be unseated to the de- 50* adjustable plate with orifices also therein, con .v

the cylinders I I and I5, and instead of the means piston 29 can be displaced in large part, if not wholly, through the conduit I2I sufiiciently rapidly to avoid the forcing of any substantial fluid into the cylinder bore I'I3 of the servo-motor I29.

In Figs. 14 and 15 there are shown certain modifications of the construction heretofore described, which may be employed advantageously under certain conditions.

Because of the fact that the rate of fiuid dis- 'the adjustability of the spring I43, and, as shown in Fig. 14, to provide a spring I43 which at its upper end engages a pin. I45 supported on a bracket member I40 which is suitably supported, as by the pin and socket connection I40", as

shown in Fig. 14. The lower end of the spring I43 engages the shoulder I44 surrounding the projection I45 upon the upper end of the valve stem II6, while the upper end of the spring surrounds the pin I45 carried by the bracket I40.

At times it is highly desirable to be able to adjust the resistance to opening movement of the valve I35 without having to open up the casing I6. In order to provide for this result, I have arranged mechanism for adjusting from outside the casing a threaded element I38 which provides a guide for the stem I3'I of the valve I35 and also provides an abutment against which the spring I36 reacts. Such adjusting means may assume various forms, but I have herein shown an arrangement in which there is appropriately secured in non-rotative relation, as at 20I, to an upwardly extending shank 202 upon the member I38, a channel-like element 263 which has at 204 a connection, providing for relative sliding, but precluding relative rotation, with an approximately rectangular, downwardly-extending stem 205 secured to an adjusting element 206, whose upper end is formed at 20! for engagement by a wrench or a similar turning device. A suitable packing 208 surrounds the upper end of the element 236; and a spring 209 acting upon nut means 2I0 keeps the packing under compression sufliciently to preclude leakage. Obviously, by applying a suitable wrench to the upper end 201 of the member 206, the threaded member I38 may be rotated, and thereby caused to vary the pressure upon the spring I36 and change the resistance to opening movement of the valve I35.

Instead of the construction at the junction of for connecting the piston rods 23 and 28, shown in Fig. 5, widely difierent other structures may be employed. For example, the threaded lower end of the cylinder I5 may be threaded into a bore 2 I2 in a head member 2 I3 while the cup I83 may be formed integral with an upper head member 2 I4, within a groove 2 I5 in which there is received the upper extremity of the cylinder II. The side or tension rods I2 may be provided with nuts 2I6 acting upon the head 2I4, and drawing the head 2 I4 towards the lower head I. The lower end of the hydraulic cylinder member I5 may be not only threaded, as previously described, but also welded, as at 2II, to the head member 2I3; and extensions 2I8 of the'side rods I2 may extend through openings 2I9 in the head member 2I3 and be fitted with nuts 220, which then hold the heads 2I3 and 2I4 securely together in a fluid tight manner. It will be observed that the cup member I83 is 'herein formed integral the bore I I8 during the upward movement of the) with the upper cylinder head member 2I4. The

foregoing detailed modifications are simply illustrative of many changes in construction which might be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the. scope of the appended claims.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that I have provided an improved pumping apparatus in which the pump motor piston is continuously under .such close control that nountoward event is likely to result in serious damage to the pumping unit or to the' pump rod line; in which in the event'of serious rupture of a pump packing or breaking of a pump rod line, the pump operating motor will be cushioned adequately in its upward movement and prevented from making additional working strokes; in which provision is made for cushioning the abnormally long strokes which at times occur during normal pumping operation without stopping the pump operating motor; in which, with the positiveness of operation of a hydraulic dashpot, there is prevented any risk of the device becoming inoperative due to leaking away of the dashpot liquid; and in which adjustment to take care of different operating conditions may be readily made.

While there are in this application specifically described one form and certain modifications which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spiritor the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a motor cylinder; a hydraulic control cylinder, interconnected pistons in said cylinders whereby movement of the motor piston causes movement ofsaid hydraulic control cylinder piston, said hydraulic control cylinder having a liquid-therein displaced on move-- ment of the hydraulic control piston, a valve" normally permitting the passage of said liquid during normal rates of piston movement and closeable by liquid flow at an excessive rate, and a loaded escape valve for permitting displacement of liquid at a reduced rate on closure of said first mentioned valve. I

2. In combination, a motor cylinder, a hydraulic control cylinder, interconnected pistonsin said cylinders whereby movement of the motor piston causes movement of said hydraulic control cylinder piston, said hydraulic control cylinderhaving a liquid therein displaced on movement of the hydraulic control piston, a valve normally said first mentioned valve effecting opening of said auxiliary liquid displacement passage on closure thereof.- l

3. In combination, a. motor cylinder, a' hydraulic control cylinder, interconnected pistons in said cylinders whereby movement of the motor piston causes movement of said hydraulic control cylinder piston, said hydraulic control cylinder having a liquid therein displaced on movement 'of the hydraulic control piston, a valve normally per mitting the passage of said liquid during normal rates of piston movement and closable by liquid flow at an excessive rate, an auxiliary liquid displacement passage permitting a restricted flow of liquid when said valve is closed, and means for opening said auxiliary liquid displacement passage when said valve closes.

4. In combination, a motor having a piston and a fluid-actuated distributing valve movable to admission and to exhaust-establishing positions, and means operative substantially immediately upon an excessive rate of travel of the motor piston to supply fluid as soon as said valve moves from its admission-establishing position into its exhaust-establishing position to hold said fluidactuated valve in exhaust-establishing position.

5. In combination, a motor having a piston and a fluid-actuated distributing valve having throwing passages having ends overrun by said piston, and means operative on an excessive rate of travel of the motor piston between said ends of said throwing passages to alter the connections of one .of said throwing passages to effect a continuous supply of pressure fluid thereto, to hold said fluidactuated valve in exhaust-effecting position upon its attainment to such position.

6. In combination, a motor having a piston and a fluid-actuated distributing valve, and hydraulic means operative on an excessive rate of travel of the motor piston to permit supply of fluid to hold said fluid-actuated valve in exhaustestablishing position when moved to such position.

'7. In combination, a motor having a piston and a fluid-actuated distributing valve, and hydraulic means operative on an excessive rate of travel of the motor piston, and including a plunger reciprocable with said piston and displacing liquid and means movable by a portion of the liquid displaced thereby, to supply fluid to hold said fluidactuated valve in exhaust-establishing position.

8. In combination, a motor having a piston and a distributing valve, and means operative immediately upon travel of the motor piston at an excessive rate to effect a holding of said distributing valve in exhaust-establishing position upon its attainment to such position.

9. In combination, a motor having a piston and a distributing valve, and means operative upon travel of the motor piston at an excessive rate irrespective of its position and including a pressure area and means for efiecting pressure supply thereto for holding said distributing valve in exhaust-establishing position upon its attainment to such position.

10. In combination, a motor having a reciprocating piston and a distributing valve, and means operative upon travel of the motor piston at an excessive rate at any portion of its travel to provide a force for holding said distributing valve in exhaust-establishing position as soon as it attains it.

11. In combination, a motor having a reciprocating piston and a distributingvalve, and means operative upon travel of the motor piston at an excessive rate at any portion of its travel to transmit a pressure fluid for holding said distributing valve in exhaust-establishing position, as soon as it attains it.

12. In combination, a motor having a piston and a distributing valve, a cylinder having a piston therein operatively connected with the motor piston, said cylinder containing a fluid displaceable upon the working strokes of the motor piston, and means operable by said displaceable fluid upon displacement thereof at a rate above a predetermined maximum for effecting a locking of said distributing valve in, exhaust-establishing position upon the occurrence of an excessive motor piston speed at substantially any point in the working stroke of said motor piston.

13. In combination, a motor having a piston and a distributing valve, a cylinder having a piston therein operatively connected with the motor piston, said cylinder containing a displaceable liquid displaced upon the working strokes of the motor piston, and means operable by said displaceable liquid for efiecting a locking of said distributing valve in exhaust-establishing position, upon the occurrence of an excessive motor-piston speed.

14. In combination, a motor having a piston ton therein operatively connected with the motorpiston, said cylinder containing a displaceable liquid and having means associated therewith permitting said liquid to be displaced upon the working strokes of the motor piston, and means operable by said displaceable liquid for automatically controlling its rate of displacement and for causing'locking of said distributing valve in exhaust-establishing position, upon the occurrence of an excessive motor-piston speed.

15. In combination, a motor cylinder, an alined motion-controlling cylinder of smaller diameter than said motor cylinder, pistons in said cylinders respectively, means connecting said pistons for simultaneous movement, a pressure-fluidactuated distributing valve for said motor cylinder, means for venting throwing pressure for said valve to the space between said pistons, and means for venting pressure from the space between said pistons, said last mentioned venting means having means associated therewith for precluding flow towards the space between said pistons.

16. In combination, a motor cylinder, an alined, superimposed motion-controlling, liquid-dashpot cylinder of smaller diameter than said motor cylinder, pistons in said cylinders respectively, means connecting said pistons for simultaneous movement, a pressure-fluid-actuated distributing valve for said motor cylinder, means for venting throwing pressure for said valve to the space between said pistons, and means for venting pressure from the space between said pistons and returning any dashpot liquid securing entrance to said space. 1

17. In combination, a motor cylinder, a hydraulic control cylinder, pistons in said cylinders connected for concurrent movement, said cylincylinder, and a check-valve-controlled vent lead- I ing from said space to saidreservoir.

19. In combination, a motor cylinder, a hydraulic control cylinder, pistons in said cylinders connected for concurrent movement, said cylinders and pistons of such relative diameters that the space between said pistons diminishes on the working strokes of said motor piston, and a check valve controlled vent from said space leading to a. point in communication with the top of said hydraulic control cylinder.

20. In combination, a motor cylinder, an alined hydraulic control cylinder arranged above said motor cylinder, pistons in said cylinders respectively, means for connecting said pistons so that the motion of the piston in the hydraulic control cylinder accompanies movements of the motor cylinder piston, means at the lower end of the hydraulic control cylinder for collecting any liquid which may escape downwardly past the hydraulic control cylinder piston, and means operated by pressure differentials created by the movements of said pistons for discharging any such leakage and returning it to the space above the hydraulic control cylinder piston.

21. In combination, a motor cylinder, an alined, communicating hydraulic control cylinder arranged above said motor cylinder, pistons in said cylinders respectively, means for connecting said pistons so that the motion of the piston in the hydraulic control cylinder accompanies movements of the motor cylinder piston, means at the lower end of the hydraulic control cylinder for collecting any liquid which may escape downwardly past the hydraulic control cylinder piston, means operated by fluid pressure diiferentials created by the movements of said pistons for discharging any such leakage and returning it to the space above the hydraulic control cylinder piston, and means for separating the liquid from the fluid which returns it.

22. In combination, a motor cylinder, a piston in said motor cylinder, and means for precluding excessive speeds of said motor piston at any point in the travel thereof, including a hydraulic control cylinder, a piston in the latter operatively connected with said motor piston, means forming a liquid-containing chamber above said hydraulic control cylinder, and means for controlling the discharge into said chamber from said hydraulic control cylinder of a motion-controlling liquid in the latter.

23. In combination, a. motor cylinder, a piston in said motor cylinder, and means for precluding excessive speeds of said motor piston at any oint in the travel thereof, including a hydraulic control cylinder, a piston in the latter operatively connected with said motor piston, means forming a liquid-containing chamber above said hydraulic control cylinder, and means for controlling the discharge into said chamber from said hydraulic control cylinder of a motion-controlling liquid in the latter including means for automatically varying the flow area in response to displacement rates.

24. In combination, a pump motor cylinder, a piston in said motor cylinder, and means for precluding excessive speeds of said motor piston at any point in the travel thereof, including a hydraulic control cylinder, a piston in the latter operatively connected with said motor piston, a liquid in said control cylinder, and means controlling the displacement of said liquid for precluding excessively high piston speeds and for limiting the extreme travel of the pistons.

25. In combination, a pump motor cylinder, a piston in said motor cylinder, and means for precluding excessive speeds of said motor piston at any point in the travel thereof, including a hydraulic control cylinder, a piston in the latter operatively connected with said motor piston, a

liquid in said control cylinder, and a plurality of valves for controlling the displacement of said liquid for precluding excessively high piston speeds and for limiting the extreme travel of the pistons.

26. In combination, a motor cylinder, a hydraulic control cylinder, pistons in said cylinders respectively, means connecting said pistons for concurrent movement, said cylinders and pistons of such relative diameters that the volume between said pistons alters as they move together in their respective cylinders, a distributing valve for said motor cylinder, means for venting operating fluid from said valve to the space between said pistons when said space is a maximum and for discharging fluid from between said pistons when the space between them is a minimum.

27. In combination, a motor cylinder, a hydraulic control cylinder, said cylinders each containing a piston, means for connecting said pistons for concurrent movement, a hydraulic fluid displaceable by the piston in said hydraulic cylinder, a valve controlling the displacement of such fluid, a distributing valve for said motor cylinder, and means operable by displaced fluid when fluid displacement is attendant upon excessively rapid motor piston movement, but not when fluid displacement attends overtravel at normal speeds of the motor piston, for rendering said distributing valve inoperative to maintain the motor piston in operation.

28. In combination, in a pumping apparatus, an element connected to a pump to be actuated, and actuating and controlling means for said element including means for exerting thereon a yielding lifting force and means effective at any point in the working stroke of said element and operative upon an excessive rate of travel thereof,

as through loss of load, to preclude unretarded movement of said element.

29. In combination, in a pumping apparatus, an element connected to a pump to be actuated, and actuating and controlling means therefor including means for subjecting said element to the liftingaction of a body of gaseous fluid under pressure, and means operative at any point in the working stroke of said element, upon excessively rapid movement of the latter, to preclude a reapplication of the lifting action of such gaseous pressure on said element.

30. In combination, in a pumping apparatus, an element connected to a pump to be actuated, and actuating and controlling means therefor including means for supplying to one side of said element a gaseous fluid under pressure, means operative at a predetermined point in the working stroke of said element for cutting off the supply of pressure fluid to said element, and means operative at any point in the working stroke of said element upon an excessive rate of travel thereof for effecting a holding of said supply-cutting-ofl means in cut-off position after attainment to such position.

31. In combination, a. motor having a piston having for a given set of conditions an approximately uniform stroke, said motor also having a distributing valve, and means operative upon an excessive rate of travel of said piston at any point in the direction of its working stroke to effect holding of said valve in exhaust establishing position.

WADE H. WINEMAN. 

